Filipinos Rise Against Corruption Amidst Flood Devastation

Thu Sep 18 2025 11:32:06 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Severe flooding in the Philippines has intensified public fury over corruption linked to infrastructure projects, leading to community outrage and a series of protests.

The Philippines is grappling with unprecedented flooding, which has exposed governmental corruption in flood-control management. Citizens express their frustrations through social media campaigns and protests. Key figures in politics and construction firms are under scrutiny, prompting demands for accountability and justice from outraged citizens.

Crissa Tolentino, a 36-year-old public school teacher, has long adapted to a life punctuated by floods. She often commutes via paddle boat through submerged streets to reach her job in Apalit, a low-lying town near Manila.

This year, however, the monsoon season has brought unprecedented adversity, leading to widespread discontent directed at government officials. Citizens, including Tolentino, are enraged over the alleged misappropriation of funds intended for flood control.

As torrential rains led to severe flooding, stranding millions and causing public health crises, Filipinos began to question the efficacy of the billions allocated to infrastructure intended to alleviate these conditions.

I feel betrayed, Tolentino said, expressing her frustration at seeing taxes contribute to what she perceives as corrupt practices. Billions in our taxes are being enjoyed by corrupt politicians, she added.

This sentiment is widespread among Filipinos who demand transparency and accountability in the management of public funds. President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. has acknowledged the rampant corruption linked to a significant portion of public funds designated for flood control, indicated to be as high as 70%.

Fury over the situation has spilled into social media and the streets, with protesters utilizing platforms like TikTok to express their dissatisfaction. Allegations of 'ghost projects' — contracts that yield no actual construction — have resonated strongly. Even prominent political figures have faced backlash, resulting in resignations and firings.

Upcoming anti-corruption protests are scheduled for September 21st, a date loaded with historical significance due to its connection to martial law declarations in 1972. These protests echo the sentiments that led to large-scale uprisings in the past against corrupt regimes.

Amid these socio-political tensions, citizens have taken matters into their own hands, with local entrepreneurs like Rhens Rafael Galang adapting to these new realities, selling practical solutions for navigating flooded streets.

While anger festers and protests loom, the call for long-overdue reforms continues. Filipinos remain hopeful that proper measures will eventually transform their government's approach to infrastructure and public safety.